Chapter 56 - Beneath the Stars

  By the third day of their return, all of Kovar had heard tell of the Great Serpent discovered far south where no ship captain dared venture. Accounts of the battle with the creature spread through streets, alleys, and tavern tables —all of them full of embellishments, exaggerations, and fanciful lies. Even Jackrin's own accounting, as lyrically as he retold it to any who'd come for his music and voice, was wrought with falseties pulled straight from children's tales.

  Aaron smiled, listening to the gasps of grown men —sailors, mercenaries, and rogues alike, held captive within the dimly lit common room of the Bottomless Flagon, the greatest tavern in Eksa's possession. Hardly an inch of space remained. Every table and the gaps between them were filled, making a server's task all too difficult. And yet, no one complained about the lack of drink. They were all here for the story. The story which most did not believe, but came for all the same out of curiosity.

  At the front counter, Eksa stood in all her splendor, fiery hair done in a single braid, a mug of ale in her hand. A celebratory drink she'd promised to only have one of. The fang and scales of the Serpent were positioned beside her for all to see. Some still didn't believe in the legends spread by fishermen, while others took the giant fang as definitive evidence, praising the Red Serpent and her crew for braving such an adventure.

  Aaron cupped his own cheek with a bandaged palm and stared at his captain unabashedly. He couldn't deny his burning jealousy upon seeing others compliment her in flirtatious ways. But she seemed happy, and that was what mattered. She hadn't been as distant during the return journey, but Aaron still wasn't inclined to approach her of his own accord. He sipped from a flagon of his own, lukewarm water filling it halfway. He would drink nothing else.

  Jack sat on a stool next to Eksa, telling all of the adventure in its entirety with a lute in his bandaged hands and his mask on. “I'd far prefer to exist among all of you,” Viper whispered from the shadow of Aaron's table. “But this isn't so bad, listening to that irritable ass tell fibs and sing songs while everyone listens and drinks.”

  Aaron felt a dull ache and knew the jester was using his Artifact again to further hold his audience's attention. “Such grandeur will only bolster our esteemed Red Serpent's reputation,” he said, with his gaze fixated on Eksa's glimmering eyes, candle flame dancing in her pupils. “Would you believe me, Viper, if I said I've subconsciously been amassing power and following the directives of the ancients living on inside of me, all to one day retake the Xenarian throne?”

  “Were you?”

  “Eksa was to be the figurehead, the bait to divert attention away from myself. And it worked because she has the talent and capacity to lead.” As much as he couldn't deny his responsibilities any longer, this wasn't the way to go about it. “Everything we've built here belongs to her. Somewhere deep inside, I planned to take it all, once the power was great enough to challenge my birthright. But… I can't.” Not only could he not claim to strive for the throne whilst being a corsair, he also wouldn't take anymore from her.

  “You mean to leave, then?” Viper asked.

  “I have to.” Eksa was laughing at something funny whispered in her ear. The pitch of her voice and the way those plump and pink lips curled stole his breath. “But I don't want to.”

  “All of Kovar knows where the most orderly of services can be found,” Viper said. “Where the best food is. Where a man can go to repair a chipped knife or cutlass, where the cleanest of inns are, or the finest entertainment if we're counting Jackrin. People enjoy order even if they are rotten at heart. All of this is found in South Kovar, where the Red Serpent is the known ruler. You've built plenty as a foundation for her. I daresay its enough for her to carry on without us. But you know it's not. You'd be taking the most important thing from her if you disappeared now.”

  Aaron scratched at his brow with a thumb. “You were the one pushing me to create a better world. You'd sacrifice the opportunity for that all to see your friends happier, Viper?”

  “You didn't see how she cried and beat against you when Eurale brought you back from under the water.” He sighed. “Is it selfish that I'd rather see the smiles of those closest to me, than to know I aided in causing the smiles of millions around the world?”

  “No,” Aaron said. “I think it's rather selfless.” But Aaron knew he'd never truly be happy if he didn't set out to accomplish his task. “I can't stay, Viper. Somehow, someway, I'll end up trying to amass power again. My ancestor's memories are too strong to fight against. Ashes. Even if I were to leave, there's only the barest chances of success. It would be me against the world.”

  “Us.”

  Us. Of course. Aaron smiled, knowing Viper would for certain follow him to the darkest corners of Illusterra. Perhaps there would be another option. A way to work for his goal while retaining proximity to his friends. But such a path was unknown to him. Until it became known, he couldn't quite leave yet. Or so was the argument he used to keep himself seated and staring at Eksa still. Aaron shook his head. If he was going to leave, his feelings for her would need to be culled. “I'm going to get some air,” he said.

  “Suit yourself. I think I'll enjoy Jackrin's stories a little longer,” said Viper.

  Aaron stepped out of the tavern, stretching his arms. The light was fast in fading outside, the sun just about hidden behind the horizon. Occupied Kovar came to life, an orange glow spilling onto the street from near every window in the vicinity. And far down it was the dark dredges of the burnt town staying as it were with little change than after the first night of the pirate's raiding. And beyond that was the northern reaches of the town controlled by Dhorjun with his muscles patrolling to keep order, though streets there were dreary and dirty, the inns in shambles, and the bars full of damaged tables and stained floors.

  Aaron walked toward the southern beach, hands stuck in his coat pockets. A lush coat it had been. It was now patched here and there with inferior black cloth. Its shadow stretched long as Illusterra's three moons soon grew to replace the sun. The sea was quiet at night, no screeching birds ahead, and no harsh winds and high rolling waves. Aaron left prints in the sand next to all the others. He stopped at the very edge a mere few paces from the waters ever creeping forward and receding seemingly the same amount. And there he stood, staring at the stars with a faint breeze at his back.

  The world grew darker until no trace of the sun remained. The majesty of night blossomed. Faint traces of sweet perfume filled the surrounding air. A pair of soft footsteps in the sand came to a halt beside Aaron. “Did you get tired of Jackrin's voice?” he asked.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  “A hard thing to get tired of, I'll admit,” Eksa said. “More tired of his ever more extravagant lies. What about you? Did you tire of staring at me?”

  “I'd never tire of that.”

  “No? Then take your fill!” she said, skipping down the beach, laughing, kicking up sparkling white sand. She'd undone the braid in her hair. Aaron started after her, walking slowly as she skipped and hummed to the lyrics of Red Serpent. Eksa flung her arms and spun, giggling as if enjoying the beach at night. There was nothing to interrupt the melody of her voice. No one to draw away his cautious gaze. It was just the two of them on an empty beach.

  Eksa stopped before a small patch of green soon after, looking up curiously at a leaning palm with long leaves. Such trees would not be found so far north where she was from. Aaron stopped behind her, only now realizing that he was a bare few inches away from her. He ran his fingers through her dark red hair. She whipped around, staring into his eyes, but not backing away. Not fleeing from him. He leaned forward and Eksa still made no motion to retreat.

  Aaron cupped her cheek in one hand and kissed her. She clutched fistfuls of his shirt and pressed closer against him. Their lips parted for a breadth of a second, foreheads still connected, each one staring into the other's eyes. Eksa's hands slipped away and he thought she might turn to leave. But she instead reached for the laces on her girdle, pulling them apart very quickly.

  Aaron pulled her back and kissed her again. She was sweet to taste, and delicate. Eksa nibbled on his lower lip and pushed harder against him. Their tongues locked as she was pulling his coat from his shoulders and soon tugging on his shirt as well. He moved away from her and stripped himself of his shirt as she unbuttoned her own. Eksa stared at him for a long second, topless, cheeks ablaze beneath the moons. Starlight caressed the soft lines of her body. She was beautiful, and perfect. Aaron would not tire of this sight even if hours would pass him by.

  Eksa, shy, covered her breasts with her arms, acting as if he hadn't seen her naked before. Perhaps he hadn't. Not like this, where she'd willingly bared herself for his appraisal. For his admiration.

  Aaron felt his mouth dry. Flames, but it was blasphemous to be so gorgeous. Eksa was now averting her gaze and his heart pounded all the more for it. He gently pulled apart her arms and then pushed her trousers all the way down to her ankles. Aaron caressed her calf and pressed a kiss to her inner thigh.

  Eksa's knees buckled. She fell back on the sand, propping herself partway up with her elbows. Her wide eyed stare was expectant, and full of want. Aaron admired the shape of her legs. He rolled grains of sand along them. She was sweating and the sand stuck. Her chest rose and fell quickly —even so simple a thing was beautiful. Aaron kissed her foot, and then her ankle, and then her shin, and up to her knees.

  “You're teasing,” she complained breathily.

  “Mhm,” was all he said. He kissed past her thigh and waited. Eksa closed her eyes in anticipation for what was to come. Aaron instead positioned himself above her, leaning down to kiss her cheek. She opened her eyes, a slight frown settling there. As if to retaliate, she gripped between his legs though his trousers were still on. He smiled and breathed against her ear, taking two fingers to massage between her legs. Eksa let go of him, a gasp escaping her mouth. “Flame of my heart,” Aaron whispered. He nibbled on the top of her ear. She moaned with her eyes squeezed shut, and each soft cry was like a thousand blades of lightning striking at his heart. Aaron felt her hands squeeze his waist and pull down his trousers.

  And then Eksa pushed him away with sudden force. Aaron found himself on his back, Eksa atop, her hands pushing down on his shoulders to keep him pinned. Her burning hair fell about the sides of his face. Her scent drove him mad.

  “My turn,” Eksa said, grinning. She did not wait, and neither had Aaron wanted her to. She let him in, gently moving her hips just as the waves rolling back and forth. Aaron ran his hands along her sides, feeling coarse grains of sand stuck to her back with the tips of his fingers. He caressed her supple breasts, feeling the pounding of her heart echo through his bandaged palms. Eksa raised the pace of her motions. Her pleasure laden voice was greater than any symphony or lay he'd ever heard. Aaron exhaled through his mouth as he felt at the edge. He lifted himself up and wrapped his arms around Eksa to stop her from moving, kissing her again. Eksa hugged him back and bit hard on his lip, softening the blow no sooner with her tongue.

  Aaron grew drunk on her sweetness. But he couldn't let her win. He leaned forward and let her fall to her back again. He gripped her thigh and thrust against her while their lips were still pressed together.

  Eksa dug her nails into his back. “Faster,” she pleaded.

  Aaron obeyed, further moved by the sound of her audible exhales. Her heart beat against his. He went faster until all strength was drained from him in a single instant. Eksa held him tight in that moment. She was smiling, cheeks glistening silver under the stars. Aaron kissed her again before pulling away, laying on his back, breathing hard.

  ***

  Eksa tucked in her knees. She stared at the sparkling night sky, heart racing and mouth void of any moisture. Aaron hadn't shied away this time, and she hadn't had any relapses in recalling their dark moment. Sand was stuck to her sweaty form, as was the same for him. The night breeze washed over her. She felt cold without his embrace, though she felt a touch of his warmth still deep inside of her.

  Eksa turned her head to look at Aaron. His gaze was fixated on the stars, so handsome, so beautiful. His face was painted silver beneath the night sky, and it shone from the sweat matting it. She thought to stare at him —Flames knew it was enough to excite her again. But a more sinister idea occurred to her. She slowly sat up, flashing a coy smile his way. Eksa touched his navel with her index finger, circling around it until she saw him swell between the legs. Her smile grew.

  “Eksa…”

  “Hush,” she whispered, playing with him, feeling the outline of each vein with her fingers. It was slippery, and shining too with her own pleasure coating it. Eksa pushed her long hair to the other side of her head before bending over and taking Aaron to her mouth. It tasted of brine, but it wasn't unpleasant. His gasps made it worth her while. Eksa continued on, feeling every inch with her tongue, observing him long to see how close he was to the edge.

  And then she pulled away as abruptly as she started, holding it upright at the tip with just one finger. “To stop here or continue…”

  “That's not fair,” Aaron said.

  She giggled. She put it in her mouth again, going slower this time, continuing for a while until she couldn't hold her own urges back any longer. She mounted Aaron again, moving according to her own pleasures. He put his large and powerful hands on her waist, one thumb pressing on the lowest line of her ribs while the other was positioned between her legs. How he'd come to have such mastery over her body, Eksa couldn't know. But what he did was far to pleasing to tell him otherwise. Eksa bit her own finger and moved faster until her mind blanked and her vision turned white. She bent low, weak, and beaten. Aaron, beautiful still in her shadow, kissed her gently.

  “It's going to be hard getting all this sand off of us,” he told her between breaths.

  Eksa kissed him back. “Hardly,” she said after a while. “The sea is right there.” Not that washing with seawater was wise. But they didn't have the luxury of options right at that moment. “How about beginner swimming lessons?”

  Aaron raised a brow. “Now?”

  “Would it hurt?”

  “I suppose not.”

  Eksa smiled. She skipped out to sea. The familiar squish of wet sand between her toes brought on a gale of nostalgia. A wave careened on to land, washing over her ankles before receding, and she chased after it, getting deep into the sea until the water was up to her neckline. There, Aaron joined her, staring expectantly for her to begin. Eksa turned around, wondering how to go about teaching him. She'd learned to swim when she was around six or so. She'd little memory of the time.

  When at last she'd decided, Aaron suddenly tugged her arm and pulled her in, kissing her again. A dimmed fire roared to life inside of Eksa. She pressed up closer to him, grasping him with her hand and letting him inside again. “You know, you'll never learn at this rate.”

  “There's always tomorrow to learn,” he said. “Though I don't guarantee I'll be disciplined in my studies.”

  Eksa shook her head.